New 60 Minutes Correspondents Include Sebastian Junger, Ross Douthat

Key Points:

• CBS's 60 Minutes has announced a new slate of correspondents and contributors, including New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, author Sebastian Junger, Vice News veteran Gianna Toboni, and increased involvement from Norah O’Donnell.
• Ross Douthat will serve as a correspondent, while Junger, Toboni, and Trevor Phillips, CBS News' senior global affairs correspondent, will join as contributors alongside existing correspondents Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, and Jon Wertheim.
• The hires are part of a significant overhaul led by new executive producer Nick Bilton, who aims to bring more "gonzo journalism" and feature specialists who are top in their fields and fearless storytellers.
• The restructuring followed the departure of former executive producer and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi, and was marked by internal turmoil, including the firing of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley after he criticized Bilton and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
• Remaining correspondents considered quitting but ultimately stayed to prevent the show's demise, emphasizing their decision was not an endorsement of the current leadership but a commitment to preserving 60 Minutes.